THE city of Cologne which was rocked by mass sex attacks blamed on marauding gangs of north African and Middle Eastern men celebrates the launch of carnival week today with the annual LADIES NIGHT.

Critics have questioned the wisdom of highlighting the fact that thousands of women revellers will take to the Town Hall Square and city streets, believing it will make them easy prey for the very same perverted gangs of misogynists.

But Cologne authorities and fans of the lucrative annual carnival believe the show must go on and that women should reclaim the night from the low-life thugs.

Officials have spent 400,000 euros (£300,000) and 2,5000 police officers - double the size of last year - will be put on the streets for the week-long carnival.

Renowned for its eclectic fancy dress and heavy drinking, the carnival is known as Weiberfastnacht or “ladies’ night”.

Separately hundreds of police officers carried out mass raids across the country in the hunt to find four men connected to the barbaric Islamic State (ISIS).

A woman and two men for whom there were existing arrest warrants, were taken into custody after cops swooped.

The scale and nature of the crimes in the city has been a disastrous torpedo to the heart of Chancellor Angela Merkel's open-door refugee policy and her popularity.

Two men, a Tunisian and a Moroccan, have been charged over the offences.

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The carnival is known as Weiberfastnacht or ladies' night

Having initially been hailed for her leadership over the escalating crisis after offering sanctuary to nearly 1.1million refugees fleeing war and persecution in Syria, the German supremo is now facing growing calls for stricter immigration rules.

Cologne resident Miriam was attacked as she and her friend made their way home after they brought in the new year.

She says is going to the carnival celebrations, "but with really mixed feelings".

Miriam added: ”I’m wondering if something like that could happen again."

Police have been trialling “body cams” which which they can film suspects during incidents.

Floodlights and CCTV cameras will be installed in the central party spots, including the old town, cathedral square - the area were most of the assaults took place - and the student quarter.

A central security point staffed by social workers, psychologists and security officials will also be on hand for women to receive immediate help in the event of a threat.

A “language and culture mediator” will also be on hand.

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Extra firefighters, stewards and paramedics have also been called in to assist

Cologne: Sex Attacks and Robberies

Tue, January 12, 2016

Thirty-one suspects, including 18 asylum seekers, are under investigation over offences including sexual assault and theft in Cologne on New Year's Eve. Far right protestors in Lepzig have rallied against refugees and German chancellor Angela Merkel.